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During the wintertime in Wisconsin, the chances of being in a car accident may be higher due to lack of visibility and icy and slippery conditions. Breakdowns and stalling may also be more common due to poor winter weather.
In the event that any on-the-road emergencies occur, having a winter emergency survival kit packed with your vehicle can be a huge help. This is especially true when you are stranded out in the cold. In some cases, a kit may even be the difference between life and death.
When putting together your kit for a car accident emergency in the wintertime, consider these three different levels of emergency kits. You should choose the one that is most appropriate based on your needs.
A bootstrap winter emergency survival kit is exactly what it sounds like – a basic emergency kit that can help you out in a tough situation but does not contain any of the more advanced equipment.
A bootstrap emergency kit should contain the following:
Basic first aid kit
A basic first aid kit should contain a few bandages, antiseptic towels a first aid manual and gauze.
Automotive tools
If your car breaks down, or if you are in a crash, having a few basic tools can help you to get back on the road again. Your basic kit should include jumper cables, a tire jack, spare tire and screw driver.
Extras – Other things to add to this basic kit include a flashlight that can be used in the event that your emergency occurs during the night, extra flashlight batteries, a bottle of water and a non-perishable snack item. Having a cell phone on you to call for help is also recommended.
The bootstrap - style basic kit is best for those who are traveling short distances and rarely go far from home. For travelers who commute long hours or plan to be traveling a long distance, a more advanced kit is recommended.
You should highly consider putting together a more advanced emergency survival kit if you:
Travel by car frequently and for long distances
Take routes that are quieter and see little traffic
Plan on traveling a longer distance than normal.
In addition to all of the things listed above, this kit should include:
More comprehensive first aid materials – The items in the first aid kit listed above are very basic. The American Red Cross recommendations for a first aid kit include:
Automotive equipment – Having a tire jack, screwdriver and jumper cables are a great start to any car emergency kit. But if an issue is more serious, these items alone may not be enough. You should also consider adding a wrench, ice scraper, bungee cord, shop cloth, air compressor, multi-tool and tire gauge.
Extras – In addition to packing your flashlight and food, you should also add a reflective vest, extra cell phone and charger, a poncho and food and water for all persons in your vehicle for at least 24 hours. Additionally, extra winter clothing should be packed such as warm boots, a hat, gloves and a waterproof and windproof coat that offers warmth.
Sometimes, even the kit above is not enough. You should consider building a survival kit to keep in your car if you:
- Will be traveling more than 100 miles from your home
- Know you will be traveling in tough weather conditions
- Will be traveling in a remote area
- Have any other specific reasons (such as a health condition which could be life-threatening in an emergency situation).
If you have any health conditions that require care, you should be sure that you have this information on you in writing so that you can give it to the paramedics in the event of a car accident.
-You should also have extra prescription medications in your car emergency kit as well as any other medical equipment that you may need such as an inhaler.
-A more intensive survival kit should also include a radio as well as flares that can be used to signal for help.
-If you will be traveling in a remote area, a knife can also be a very helpful tool as it can be used as a tool to repair a car, cut things (such as fabric to tie a wound) and more.
-You should also be sure to include enough food and water to last for 72 hours per person, as Ready.gov suggests.
Remember, this kit is only for the most extreme of travelers: If you will be traveling in highly populated areas, it is doubtful that a survivalist kit is necessary.
When a car emergency occurs, you will be more prepared if you have a winter emergency kit on hand. Use your kit to call for emergency help or call the police, treat basic wounds or get your car up and running again.
Above all, remember to stay calm, stay in a safe location and think as clearly as possible. If you are injured, prioritize medical care.
Please keep in mind that you should have an emergency winter kit for your motorcycle as well. Staying safe on your motorcycle during the winter is so important.
If you are the victim of a car accident, you may be facing medical bills, painful injuries, lost wages and psychological harm.
If the accident was caused through no fault of your own, you may be able to file a personal injury lawsuit to seek compensation for your losses.
To help you file your car accident claim or to learn more about the process of filing a personal injury lawsuit in Wisconsin, contact an experienced Milwaukee car accident lawyer today. Remember, you only have three years to file your claim in our state.
At Gruber Law Offices, LLC, our car accident attorneys are ready to get to work on your case today. Contact us now to schedule your free, no-obligation case review.
Attorney Steven Gruber was born and raised in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. His family has deep roots in the Wisconsin legal community, as his father, David, founded Gruber Law Offices almost 40 years ago and his mother, Nancy, is a managing attorney with the firm. Steven is an award-winning attorney who focuses on serious injury cases and firm strategy and operations. Some of Steven’s awards and memberships include National Trial Lawyers Top 100 Trial Lawyers, Top 10 Attorney in Wisconsin by the National Academy of Personal Injury Attorneys, The National Trial Lawyers Top 40 Under 40, and the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, just to name a few. He has successfully handled cases regarding serious matters that have been publicized by the Today Show, Good Morning America, ABC, Fox and many other media outlets. At Gruber Law Offices, Steven also manages and leads a powerful team of 130 talented professionals. He is proud to continue the family legacy of positively impacting our community.
